The BBC has denied that the actress Helen Mirren has been dropped from tomorrow's National Lottery Live show because of her role in the film Some Mother's Son, which deals with the 1981 IRA hunger strikes. The film's director, Terry George, has alleged that BBC executives changed their minds about having Ms Mirren on the show after viewing clips from the film.
The BBC has denied that any appearance deal was struck with the actress and said that Ms Mirren was still one of several possible future guests on the programme.